Thursday, October 30, 2014

This is Valerie Bishop here and I'm getting so excited for Halloween to get here (gotta love little trick or treaters and their costumes and of course the chocolate!!). I've been counting down the days using my Halloween Countdown magnet board that I made using the Surprise Surface from my Boo in a Box FP Kit!

When I saw the surface I knew I wanted to make a chalkboard surface on it. I first spray painted the outer edge with some teal metallic that I had from a previous project, then after that had dried and cured, I covered the teal with painters tape and spray painted the center with chalkboard paint. I used permanent chalk(which can only be washed off with water so it won't smudge) to make the spiral in the center and then used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the numbers. I love the letters that came in the kit - when you turn the O's on their sides they look like eyeballs! - and they were perfect for the title of my project.

I punched several starburst circles to and layered them with the sequins from the kit and then used them to frame my magnet board. The adorable skeleton head is so cute and I thought it would be perfect for the date marker - I just glued it onto one of the magnets which is also available in the kit.

My most favorite pieces in the Front Porch Kits are the Surprise Surfaces - they always make me push myself creatively and I always love the projects I end up making with them!

I'd love to see what you have created with yours - link it up in the comment section below so I can see it! :)

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Mixed Media is an all-encompassing term to define an art form that includes many different surfaces, media and techniques- the more “mixed”, the better.

In this class you will create a unique 7x24 home décor piece while learning some new tricks and techniques. You will use several different three- dimensional media to build up the surface of the “Family” frame. It will then be colorized using Distress Stains, Art Anthology Sorbets and the amazing VerDay Paints. No prior experience necessary- Our talented Mixed Media Artist, Susan Tidwell will take you through every step and by the end of class you will be a Mixed Media Master!!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Hi, it's DeeDee Roe! :) Today I wanted to share with you how I approach my Front Porch Kit box the moment it arrives at my house.

The first thing I do when I open a Front Porch Kit is, of course, squeal. Then I get down to business. :)

1. I lay the entire kit out onto my kitchen table so I can really get a feel for what's inside and how it can work together. One of these times I am going to alter the kit box itself.

2. Patterned Paper - I love love love to use the FPK to do layouts because I am EONS behind in scrapping about myself and my family's life. My favorite supply is patterned paper so I pick my favorite papers to feature on the layouts and then I assign papers to the special surfaces that are always in the kits and then I usually try to save one stand out paper for a great card.

3. Stacks - Then I make stacks based on projects. The
kits come with a ton of supplies so I usually go for a couple double
layouts, the special surface, a card, and then wherever the paper leads
me. Once I have the projects in mind I plan to make I divide the
different embellishments into the stacks. For this last kit I knew I
wanted my layouts to have tons of embellishments and texture.

You can see I used ribbon, chipboard, straws, sequins, cardstock and patterned paper building up.

At this point I usually start wondering if I have pictures to flow with my design. lol I should probably get them out sooner, but I seriously start planning my projects within three minutes of the postal lady dropping the box at my door.

I love layering embellishments and mixing colors to give them just that extra bit of depth. If you look back at the first picture, you can see where I've stitched down the side of the layout. EVERY time, every time I forget to add stitching and end up trying to add that detail after it's super inconvenient so if you like stitching on your layout - pro tip: don't wait until the end to add it.

So that's my process once I get the FPK in my hands. It's such a treat to get happy mail and I just let myself indulge in the fun of touching all the textures and patterns.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Lynette Chiles here to discuss adding more photos to your layouts with the use of flips. The Happy Halloween Layout featured in your Blueprint Guide has 10 photos on a single layout.

By adding folded strips to the top of the page it allows you to create flips to hold more photos. I just loved the little icons of the ghost, witch and Frankenstein and how you could match the feet with the heads. Please see blueprint guide for more detailed instructions. Here are a few more photos of how the flips work.

In the summer I had the pleasure of creating a class for the Be Inspired Series named Scraptivity, which means adding more photos, more journaling, and more creativity to your scrapbook page This popular class has now become a monthly class. Each month we will explore new techniques to use on your layouts. September was the debut of this class. We did a double layout using pockets, flips. and folders. We learned how versatile the Envelope Punch Board is.

The October Scraptivity class will feature paints and inks, and of course a few flips. There are a few spaces available for the October Class, Tuesday, October 28, 10:00 to 1:00 and 6:00 to 9:00.

I hope you will join me :)

What have you created with your Boo In A Box? Would love to hear your comments.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Miss Tracy here....I want to invite you to join us this month at the LBH for Scrapstashers! This is a fun workshop aimed at helping you find "success with your excess" of papers, embellies, photos, etc. I will design a fun project/projects for our workshop and create a "what to bring" list for you to bring from your own Stash of Supplies!

This month I have a super-cute project to use up all those scraps you have stashed up! We will be altering a frame into a shadowbox project...and creating with our paper scraps in a fun way! I have two samples...one done in a Fall theme and the other one in a Christmas theme. Bring papers to do one or both if you like! Please bring the following items with you to the workshop:

Frame from Ikea(I have oodles...you can purchase one at the LBH for $1.99)Three Printed Paper Pieces (6x8) * Fall or Christmas colorsGreen printed paper (one 6x12) - If doing ChristmasOrange printed paper (one 6x12) - If doing FallOne light-weight sheet of chipboard (available at the LBH)White Cardstock for stampingChalk Ink for edges of papers (coordinating colors)ScorTape 1/4 inch or 1/2 inchScotch Tacky GluePaper Trimmer and ScissorsPencilI will provide some stamps and archival ink for you to choose from for your projects along with a few other items. Make plans to join us! You will love this project! Please stop by, call, or message, the LBH to reserve your seat. (817) 431-7930Keep Creating,Miss Tracy :)

Friday, October 17, 2014

Rhonda Merry here with a question for you???Now that some of you have had a chance to open your

box of Front Porch Kit goodies, what will your first project be?

Me? I went straight to the Surprise Surface in the kit.... the Altered Metal Tray.

We've had several people ask if it will hold magnets. The answer is YES! There are 4 magnets included inthe kit for you to create with.

I designed a magnetic chalkboard. I primed the tray and then used Rust-o-leum Chalkboard Spray Paint.I used the included magnets for the spider bow and flower, and for the chalk rope and sharpener.

(Did you know that chalk can be sharpened without
crumbling? I was excited to discover this little tidbit.)

I then grabbed sheet magnets from all of the fridge advertisements and football schedules that have accumulated over the years. They are perfect for magnet boards because they take well to any adhesive, run through the die machines easily and store well if you want to create a collection of scenes for more holiday decorating.

Once I made all of my pieces, it was time to decorate and add my reminders.

I love it!!!We want to hear from you. Leave a comment telling us what you created with your kit. But, if you're not sure what to make, then visit our online gallery to see more from our Front Porch Kit Boo in a Box, atwww.thelittlebluehouseonline.comOr visit our in store gallery at The Little Blue House118 W. Olive StreetKeller, TX 76248Merry Creating!!